International Activities

Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change

Greenhouse-gas emissions remained a major issue in 1998. In December 1997 representatives from 160 signatory nations to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change had attended a meeting in Kyoto, Japan, and reached an agreement, called the Kyoto Protocol, to reduce global emissions by about 5.2% by 2012. The European Union (EU) agreed to reduce emissions by an average 8% below 1990 levels, followed by the U.S. (7%), Japan (6%), and 21 other industrial countries that would reduce emissions by varying amounts. Binding commitments were not required of less-developed countries (LDCs). Shortly before the meeting in Kyoto, it was reported that the World Bank had prepared a scheme, called the Global Carbon Initiative, that would allow developed countries to pay for low-cost, energy-efficient projects in LDCs. The saving in greenhouse-gas emissions could then be credited to the binding emissions target of the donor countries under a system called "joint implementation." Concerns that a reduction could have serious economic repercussions led to doubts over whether the U.S., which accounted for 20-25% of the world emissions total, would ratify the protocol; by the end of 1998, the U.S. had not yet done so.

Global Environment Facility

At their first assembly, held in New Delhi in April 1998, Global Environment Facility (GEF) managers agreed to review their policy on supporting environmental projects in LDCs. Funds would continue to be allocated to climate change (40%), biodiversity (40%), ozone depletion (10%), and water supplies (10%), but it was agreed that GEF activities should be more open to inspection and that there should be greater involvement from the private sector, the public, and environmentalist groups. The GEF fund was replenished by $2,750,000,000 over three years, although this figure included $680,000,000 brought forward from the first round of funding and $80,000,000 of unused funds.

Living Planet Report

On October 1 the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWFN), the New Economics Foundation, and the World Conservation Monitoring Centre at Cambridge, Eng., published the Living Planet Report, comparing the impact human activities were having on the global environment with the impact they had in 1960. The report stated that since 1960 use of freshwater had doubled, which was causing a decline in freshwater habitats. Carbon dioxide emissions had also doubled; consumption of wood and paper had increased by two-thirds; and consumption of sea fish had more than doubled. Most fish stocks were either fully exploited or declining, and few forests were being managed sustainably. The main cause of these increases was said to be rising consumption levels. In many parts of the world, there was heightened interest in ecological restoration. (SeeSpecial Report.)

Antarctica

The Madrid Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty came into force on Jan. 14, 1998, following its ratification by Japan, the last of the 26 parties to the treaty to do so. The protocol required all explorers, tourist operators, and scientific expeditions to obtain permission to enter the region south of latitude 60° and to submit an environmental-impact assessment. Mining of any kind was banned within this area for 50 years, and environmental improvements were to be made at the sites of scientific stations. In April Australian workers started to clean up the abandoned Wilkes Station, which had been built by the U.S. military in 1957 and transferred to Australia in 1959. Australians had used it to study the atmosphere and weather, but in 1969 the researchers moved to Casey Station nearby, leaving years of accumulated garbage in the open.

Difficulties with waste disposal in the Antarctic climate were illustrated by a report in June that sewage from the U.S. McMurdo Station stretched at least one kilometre (0.6 mi) along the shoreline and for 300 m (985 ft) out to sea. Sewage from McMurdo, which housed about 1,000 people, was routinely macerated but not treated chemically or biologically before being discharged from an outflow pipe 50 m (165 ft) from the shore into 17 m (56 ft) of water. At a meeting held in Hobart, Tas., Australia, in late August, 50 Antarctic specialists agreed on proposals to reduce the risk of carrying pathogens to Antarctica, where they could cause disease among wildlife. The plan would involve briefing everyone visiting Antarctica on ways to avoid spreading pathogens--including proper cleaning of all equipment and clothing, especially boots, before and after visiting wildlife sites and certifying that poultry food products imported to Antarctica were free from dangerous pathogens. The scientists also proposed that sewage be treated by boiling for five minutes. The scheme was to be presented to the next meeting of Antarctic Treaty nations, to be held in Lima, Peru, in 1999.

National Developments

Brazil

On February 12 Brazilian Pres. Fernando Henrique Cardoso signed a law imposing strict penalties for environmental offenses. Companies violating environmental regulations would be forbidden to bid for government contracts for 10 years and would lose tax breaks. Their owners would be fined in proportion to the company profits. Anyone caught illegally trading animals, burning trees, extracting minerals, or causing pollution could be imprisoned for up to three years.

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